11 other countries currently allow all same-sex couples to marry: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. Three further countries allow same-sex marriage in some regions, states or cities: Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Israel recognises same-sex marriages performed in certain other countries but does not allow them to be held within the country. France, Scotland, England and Wales are all expected to make same-sex marriage legal this year.

Opposition politician, Fernando Amado of the centre-right Colorado party said: “I agree that family is the basis of society but I also believe that love is the basis of family. And love is neither homosexual nor heterosexual.”